Trunk rack



Feb. 14, 1933. ww. wlLsoN TRUNK RACK Filed Sept. `16, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 14, 1933. w. w, WILSON 1,897,094

TRUNK RACK Filed Sept. 16, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 effi ven F02* Feb. 14, 1933. W W, wlLSQN 1,897,094 u TRUNK RACK Filed Sept. 16, 3.929l 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 WMM@ Patented Feb. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES puren Pifll'l'ihe r WILLIAM W. WILSON, F SIOUX CITY, OlVfi, ASSIGNQR, BY MTLSNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE GABRIEL KARLKEEN COMPANY, A. COREORATN F DELAWARE TRUNK RACK Application filed September 16, 1929. Serial No. 392,960.

This invention relates to an automobile trunk rack adapted for attachment to the rear end of an automobile, the parts being simple, durable and comparatively inexpensive.

An object of the invention is to provide a trunk raclr w iich is especially applicable 'for use on automobiles having rearwardly eX- tending bumper arms or bars such as in the Ford automobile of the 1928 model; the present invention contemplating the use ot such bumper arms as a means of attachment for the trunk rack and at the same time providing a support for bumper elements.

till a further object is to provide a trunk rack structure adapted to'be supported at its ends upon members projecting rearwardly jfrom the automobile body or trame and adapted for connection intermediate its ends to the body portion ot the automobile so that the trunlr rack is supported both at its ends and at a point intermediate its ends.

It may be here mentioned that in the Ford automobile of the 1928 model, there is provided a spare tire support which consists of a casting rigidly connected to the rear of the automobile body at a point substantially midway between the fenders of the automobile. My trunk raclr is adapted to be supported intermediate its ends by means of a connection extending from the trunk rack up to the body where the spare tire support normally is positioned.

Another object is to provide a construction in a trunk raclr whereby the rack, while being supported at its ends on brackets eX- tended from the vehicle frame, will also be securely affixed to the vehicle body and to the rear end frame member of the chassis in such manner as to afford a strong and substantial carrier for loads imposed thereon.

Still a further object is to provide bumper adaptors adapted to be positioned upon the bumper bar for projecting the bumper rearwardly a greater distance than the normal distance of the bumper elements so as to accommodate the trunlr raclr between the rear of the automobile and the position of the bumper elements.

VAnother object is to provide a-trunk rack of the character described embodying a trame structure and a means of attachment to the rear end of an automobile which consists ot tew parts that may be readily lconstructed and assembled, which may be easily applied, and which is strong and durable.

lVith these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the trunk raclr showing the manner of mounting the same upon an automobile with the bump-er member attached rearwardly ot the trunk raclr.

VFigure 2 is a top plan view oi my trunk 1 raclr structure.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 3 9 of Figure l.

Figure -i is a detail sectional view taken on line Ll--l of Figure 2, illustrating one of the intermediate attaching members between the trunk raclr structure and the body of the automobile.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view talren on line of Figure 2, illustrating the attachment of the trunk rack to the body at the 1point where the tire carrier is usually mounted.

Figure 6 is a perspective view ot a slightly modified form of trunlr raclr structure, illustrating a direct connection ot the trunk rack structure with the bumper bar or support.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 6; and

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken on line 9 9 of Figure 'l'.

ln the accompanying drawings, l have used the reference character A to indicate generally, the body ot an automobile and B the tenders thereof. The body A includes a chassis or under-trame 11.

My trunk rack structure is composed of structural steell parts, that is angle irons and yflat plates so connected together as to provide a rigid unit. i

The ordinary Ford car ofthe 1928 type includes a Ypair offrearwardly extending Y bumper bars or supports The supports 10 have their outer ends curvedoutwardlyas at 12 andk bumper elements C Vare connected to the straight portion of .thebu'mper bar 10 A- bumper element C may be secured thereto by .15 to the-rear of the automobile body.

and to the outwardly curved portion 12.

When my trunk structure is used, it is necessary to provide an adaptor forj'positioning the bumper elements C rearwardly a greater distance than their normal position relative '.,lhe adaptors includeia plate-member cony sisting of a straight element-of strap material 14 and an outwardly projecting'portion 16. The straight portion 14 is bolted to the.V

bumper Vsupport lO'by means "of a pair of bolts 18. Y

C to the support 10. y

f The portion 16 ofthe adaptor is bolted to the portion 12'of the bumper Vsupport 10 bya bolt 19. The vends of the straightportion `14 vand ofthe vcurved portion 16 are provided with bolt holes or openings s0 vthat the the use ofbolts.;y It will thus be seen that thel adaptor composedjof the parts 14 and 16 doesv nothing more than place the positionof the bumper elementC'a greater distance rearwardly tha1 1""that of theV z tutomobile body VThe trunkr rack structure includesfa pair of sideV plates 20 having anglefironsiuor the like 22 securedv thereto at their forward ends. H The angle pieces 22'are adapted for connection with the under-frame of the automobile body A. A strapiron or connecting'member 24 connects'thetwosideplates 420 together. j

A pair of angle'fastening elements 26 are so ypc sitioned asjto be connectedto the underframe 11 of theautomobjile body at points where the bumper bars 10 are normally connected to the body.

' The bumper bars 10 are supported v intermediate their ends by 'brackets 2 8 and what I do is vto remove the bracket 28 and place the fastening elements 26. between the Vbracket Y and the body A andlithereafter positionthe bolts-'30.* All-this is clearly'illustratedin y bumper member.

i Figure 4 of the drawings.

. I I` also remove the spare tire carrier from the automobile body and connect the' centerportion of the brace `24y at'points where the normal spare tire carrier is mounted.v l

. A fitting 32 is bolted orotherwisefastened to thebrace bar 24 and is provided with a series of openings 36, which Coincide with a. series of openings formed in the automobile body'andboltsior screws 38 are used'forl con! necting the tting82 tothe automobile body and extendY through the openings 36. pair The Abolts 18 are those normally provided for connecting the bumper element ofbolts 34 are used connecting the fitting 32 to the brace `bar 24.

The outer'or rear ends of .the flat supporting plates 20 are bent'inwardly or at right angles to their major bodyportion so as to provide inturned Vends v40.V VThe cross l brace or bar 24 is xedlyfconnected to the` side plates20 by means of-angle connections 42.

l -Extendingtransversely between thetwo side plates 20 are a pair ofV angle iron cross pieces .y y 44 and 46. The angleiron cross' pieces 44` 'and `46 have their'jends Acut awayl and bent over so as to provide marginal fasteninglanges48. 'Theflanges 48 have bolts`50 eX- tending therethrough for connecting.y the angle irons 44 and46 to the .side plates'f20. y

upon the angle irons 44 and 46. Due to thekfactthat the trunk itselfis 'not quiteA as long as the distance between thetwoplates2'0` I provide-'a cover plate V56which is formed with apairfojf downturned flanges 58 and 59 5 extending over the corner ofthev plate 20 and provided` `with embossed' portions 62 to extend over and conceal theheads of the belts Openings are provided in the cover plates l56A and likewise in the angle bars 44"and 46 yas at 60 so that thetrunk may` bexbolted in position. It will bev noted from' Figures 1,

2 and 3 thatthe trunk rackstructure"'o'ver-V hangs the 'adaptors or plate-members composed of the straight portions l14 and outwardly. projecting portions 16; Iny order' to supportthe forward vouter 'endsl ofthe trunk rach'st'ructure upon the bumperbars, I providefan upstanding 'brace' 68, which is connectedto the plate 2O-asat 64;'and tothe ki' adaptor. piece 16andto the curved portion 12 ofthe bumper support 10'by means ofthe bolt 19. j l fz-It-will thus V'bev seen that my trunk rack Vstructure is Vadapted to be supported intermediateitsfends' 'at the rear portionjof the rautomobileand at its end portion'son the InlFigure v6, 1 haveshown a' slightly modiffiediformjof trunk; rack structure in which a pair of sideplates`66 vare employedliaving linturned flanges 68.' The side plates 66Y are securedtogetherby va pair of `angle ybars 70 and 72. Bolts' 4 yare used for connecting the anglebars 70 and 72 Vto the, side plates 66. The side plates'are adapted tobe connected Vto the'bumperbar 10 bymeans of the bolts-18. A Securedto the bumperfbar'lO through the medium of the bolts 18 is the `adaptor composedl f-'the'ipa'rts 14 and. 16. 'Extendin'g between the bumper bars or supports 10 is a pipe or brace 76 which is formed with a pair of legs 7 8 adapted to register with the bolts 18 so that they may pass therethrough as clearly shown in Figure 8 of the drawings.

In order to connect the trunk rack structure to the body of the automobile, I provide a plate 80, which is vertically arranged and connected to the pipe 76 by several U-bolts 82. Extending upwardly from the plate 80 is a plate or fitting 84. The fitting 84 is provided with a pair of openings adapted to receive bolts or screws 86.

An auxiliary cover plate 88 substantially triangular in outline is positioned on the back side of the automobile body and connected thereto by the bolts 86 as well as a third bolt 90. The bolts 86 and 90 project into and connect with the body at the point where the normal tire carrier or support is provided.

It will be noted that the bolts 86 project through the cover plate 88 as well as the fitting 84. It will thus be seen that through the medium of the plate 8O and fitting 8d that I connect the trunk rack structure intermediate its ends to the body of the automobile. Ihe ends of the angle irons 70 and 72 project beyond the side plates 66 and I provide a cover element 92, as clearly illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings.

It will be noted that my trunk rack structure is adapted to be secured to an automobile and to cooperate with the bumper supports thereof which serve as a means of connection and support for the trunk rack st-ructure.

Both forms of the trunk rack structure are supported at their ends on the rearwardly extending members l() and at their centers by the plates which are adapted to be secured to the automobile body at the position where the spare tire carrier is normally attached. The central or intermediate support in conjunction with the end supports on the bumper bars l0 provide a very rigid supporting construction for the trunk 54.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination with an automobile having rearwardly extending members formed at their extremities with a horizontally curved portion, a rearward extension to the straight portion of said rearwardly extending member, a trunk rack structure adapted to be attached to the rear portion of the body of the automobile to form a major support therefor, resilient bumpers connected at their inner ends of said rearward extensions and supported intermediate of their ends by a resilient member attached to said horizontal curved portion of said rearwardly extending member, and means connecting the rearward end of said rearward extension to the end portions of said trimk rack structure.

2. In combination with an automobile having rearwardly extending members formed at their extremities with a horizontally curved portion, a rearward extension to the straight portion of said rearward extending member, a trunk rack structure adapted to be attached to the rear portion of the body of the automobile to form a major support therefor, resilient bumpers connected at their inner ends to said rearward extensions and supported intermediate of their ends by a resilient member attached to said horizontal curved portion of said rearwardly extending member, and means connecting the rearward end of said rearward extension to the 'end portions of said trunk rack structure, said bumpers starting at a point adjacent the end of the trunk rack structure and curving rearwardly and outwardly therefrom to a terminating point substantially even with the outer edge of the fenders of the automobile.

3. In combination with an automobile having rearwardly extending members, a trunk rack structure adapted to be supported by the rear central portion of the automobile and by said rearwardly extending members.

4. In combination with an automobile having rearwardly extending members, a trunk rack structure adapted to be supported by the rear central portion of the automobile and said rearwardly extending members, and resilient bumpers mounted upon said rearwardly extending members and positioned rearward of the trunk rack.

5. In combination lwith. an automobile, a pair of brackets extending rearwardly from ythe automobile frame, extensions on said i brackets, a trunk rack extending over said brackets and extensions, means connecting the end portions of said rack to said extensions, and supporting means secured to the automobile and to said rack intermediate its ends.

6. In combination with an automobile having a pair of rearwardly extending members, a trunk rack structure comprising a pair of transversely arranged supporting bars, end elements connecting the ends of said bars together, said end elements being secured to said rearwardly extending members and supported thereby and an intermediate support for said trunk rack, said intermediate support being secured to the back of said automobile body.

7 In combination with an automobile having a pair of rearwardly extending members, a trunk rack structure comprising a pair: rofytransverselyarrangedYfV supporting 1 bars, end.- elements, connectingl the ends vof saidv bars together, "said=end1elementsbeing A Y. v, securedto'saicl Vrearwardly extendingmema I 'Y bers andsupported thereby, Va 'brace i rod between tliejends ofsaidgtrunkfrackan'd an intermediate v:support for said trunk rack,

saidv intermediate support being securedto Y Y the back ofsad automobile bodyy andto said .brace rod for supportingthebrace rod andthereby the trunk rack.

i ""8. In combination withan automobile havl Y,

A 'Y alpair 'of rearwardly extending members,

a trunk rack structure .comprising a .pair of.Y transversely, arranged Vsupportingy bars, end.elements-connecting the ends of said bars together, said end elements beingl sev.-

, cured to, said rearwardly extendingy members and supported lthereby,a:brace,rod between Y the' endso:l said trun'kraclr and-an ntermedifV 'f yates'upport orsaidtrunkrack, said'inter- .1, f

mediatesupport being secured to theba'ck of y L said .automobile body and to said'v brace rod fao Y ing bumpelr'units positioned rearwardlyiofVv if v for; supporting.v the brace rod and thereby the trunk rack,-theivconneeton of said intermediate supportto said brace rod being l l 1' Z9.. A/combinationcarrier device orLan automobile, comprising 'twoi paral'lebbars' Y adapted toveXtend rearwardly from the frame of the automobile, apair ollaterally extend* and supported by the-rear ends of said bars,

a horizontal; trunk-rackpositioned above'the I rear ends of said-bars, said-rack being prc-v L:

vided at thefront endthereo'f with means for attachment to the body of the automobile, Y and -means fork supporting the rear end vof' l0.v A-combination carrier deviceV forfa'n automobile, comprisuigtwoj parallel Vbars adaptedto extendfrearwa'relly fromtheframey l, ofthe automobile, afpairofwlaterally eX-l tendingbumper units .ipositionedrearward- Alyof and supported by the rearends of said bars, a1, horizontal trunk-rackV #positionedl f above ,the rear ends o said bars,psaidrack j being provided at the front end there'ofwithv bolts forattachment to tliebody .of the auto-v mobile and vertical extending leg-members Y depending from the rear endofsaid rack.

- WILLIAMiW--WILSONL i 

